Nigerian folk legend Beautiful Nubia has publicly accused gospel artistes Yinka Ayefele and BBO of lifting the melody from his 1997 classic Seven Lifes without permission or credit.
The veteran musician, whose real name is Segun Akinlolu, took to X to express his frustration, alleging that Ayefele’s 2012 song My Faith in God (Igbagbo Ireti) and BBO’s 2026 release Amin both borrowed heavily from the core melody of Seven Lifes. In his post, he questioned when Nigerian musicians, particularly within the gospel community, would begin to take copyright laws seriously.
According to Beautiful Nubia, the melodic similarities are too strong to be coincidental. He suggested that the pattern reflects a broader culture of creative borrowing without acknowledgment in the industry. His comments have since generated heated discussions among fans and music stakeholders, with many calling for a proper musical breakdown to determine the extent of the similarities.
As of the time of this report, neither Yinka Ayefele nor BBO has issued an official response to the allegations.
The controversy adds to ongoing conversations about intellectual property rights in Nigeria’s music industry. In recent years, disputes over songwriting credits, sampling, and melody similarities have become more common, particularly as Nigerian music continues to gain global recognition.
Observers have pointed to past cases such as the 2024 legal dispute involving Sinach and her internationally acclaimed song Way Maker, where producer Michael Oluwole, also known as Maye, claimed co-authorship. Sinach maintained that she was the sole writer of the globally successful track. That case further highlighted the complexities surrounding music ownership and documentation in the industry.
Legal experts often stress the importance of proper copyright registration, publishing splits, and written agreements to prevent such conflicts. In an era where digital streaming allows songs to travel instantly across borders, protecting intellectual property has become more critical than ever.
As the debate unfolds, many fans are waiting to see whether the parties involved will seek legal resolution, mediation, or a public clarification regarding the claims.
